How to Become a Surgical Tech in Texas

Surgical technologists play a supportive role to surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists during surgical procedures. They work under the direct supervision of surgeons and operating room nurses.

Education and Training

Training to become a surgical technologist is available from two-year community and junior colleges, private vocational schools, as well as hospital-based programs.

Local Trade Schools

Two agencies accredit programs in surgical technology: The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

How Long Does it Take?

Programs may last from 9 months within private vocational schools and up to 24 months in community and junior colleges.

The time difference is accounted for by the fact that private vocational schools focus exclusively on technical coursework.  Students in community and junior colleges will also need to complete a liberal arts component during the first year of attendance.

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost of tuition varies based upon just attending a trade school for surgical tech or going the community college route, which could be $14,000 to $20,000.

What Do You Study?

Coursework in both private schools and community/junior colleges may include the following topics:

• anatomy
• physiology
• microbiology
• chemistry and organic chemistry
• clinical pharmacology
• medical terminology
• medical ethics (e.g. patient confidentiality)
• psychology

Other topics include patient safety, sterilization techniques, infection control, surgical procedures and how to properly handle all surgical instruments and equipment.

Salaries of Surgical Techs

Below are some average salaries and hourly wages for areas of the state.

Area	Per Hour	Per Year
Abilene	$23.18	$48,210
Amarillo	$25.16	$52,320
Austin-Round Rock	$31.06	$64,600
Beaumont-Port Arthur	$27.00	$56,160
Big Thicket Region of Texas	$26.57	$55,260
Border Region of Texas	$22.94	$47,710
Coastal Plains Region of Texas	$25.45	$52,940
Corpus Christi	$26.80	$55,740
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington	$31.19	$64,870
El Paso	$26.77	$55,670
Hill Country Region of Texas	$27.80	$57,810
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land	$30.43	$63,290
Killeen-Temple	$27.71	$57,630
Longview	$30.46	$63,360
Lubbock	$26.58	$55,280
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission	$26.60	$55,320
Midland	$28.81	$59,920
North Texas Region of Texas	$27.04	$56,250
San Antonio-New Braunfels	$24.55	$51,070
Sherman-Denison	$29.10	$60,520
Victoria	$29.30	$60,950
Waco	$28.76	$59,830
West Texas Region of Texas	$23.55	$48,980

_{Occupation: Surgical Technologists (SOC Code292055)
source: data.bls.gov}

Texas Requirements

As per the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), certification is not currently required to work as a surgical technologist in the state of Texas.

However, most employers prefer to hire surgical technologists who are certified as it raises the standards of the profession.

NBSTSA Certification

Technologists may pursue voluntary certification as either a Surgical Technologist or Surgical Technologist First Assistant through the NBSTSA after having graduated from a training program that has been approved by the CAAHEP or ABHES and passing the national certification examination.

Once these requirements have been met, technologists may use the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or Certified First Surgical Assistant (CFSA) designation.

For more information on eligibility requirements, fees, and applying to sit for the CST exam and exam details visit https://www.nbstsa.org/cst-certification.

Full details regarding eligibility criteria to become a Surgical First Assistant (CFSA) may be found at https://www.nbstsa.org/csfa-certification.

To maintain certification, surgical technologists will need to satisfactorily complete 60 hours of continuing education over a 4-year period or retake and pass the national certifying exam at the end of 4 years.

NCCT Certification

An alternative pathway is to obtain certification by passing an examination administered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).

You may qualify to test via four separate routes, each requiring a high school diploma.

• Graduation for an NCCT-approved surgical technologist training program within the past 10 years plus satisfactory completion of required practicum hours;
• Completion of a hospital-based surgical technologist training program in addition to 1 year of “qualifying experience within the past 2 years” or 4 years of part time experience.
• Seven (7) years of qualifying experience as a surgical technologist within the past 10 years;
• Current licensure as a physician (MD), physician assistant (PA), registered nurse ((RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN) with significant “scrub experience.”

For complete information on eligibility, fees, application procedure refer to the Surgical Technologist Certification brochure, which can be downloaded from this webpage: https://www.ncctinc.com/certifications.

Job Description

What Does a Surgical First Assistant Do?

Certified surgical techs may also work as surgical first assistant.

Under the supervision of a surgeon, the surgical first assistant, as defined by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), helps ensure hemostasis by controlling blood flow and stopping hemorrhage, aids in prevention of infection, and performs other technical assistance to help promote a safe and hygienic operating environment.

A surgical first assistant may also talk with patients prior to surgery to advise them of the procedure, prepare patients for surgery, assist in administering anesthesia, and create a written record of the operation.

Job Duties

Key duties of surgical technologists include:

• Prepare the operating theater before surgical procedures by mixing solutions, sterilizing all instruments and arranging them on the table for surgeons and nurses, and ensuring that all needed equipment is operating properly.
• Prepare patients for surgical procedures by washing, sterilizing and shaving appropriate areas of the body.
• Transport patients to the operating theater and placing them on the table in the correct position, and covering them with sterilized sheets.
• Monitor patient vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure during the procedure and assist the operating team to put on sterilized gowns, caps and gloves.
• During surgery, they hand needed instruments and other items to the surgeon(s) and nurse(s), cut and sutures, and keep track of such supplies as sponges and needles.
• Prepare and deliver laboratory specimens for analysis by laboratory clinicians.
• Depending on level of experience, surgical technologists may prepare surgical dressings and operate suction and diagnostic equipment.
• After an operation, surgical technologists clean and sterilize the operating room, transport patients to recovery area, and replaced surgical supplies.

Interview with a Surgical Tech in Texas

An interview with Amy Smith, a surgical/operating room technician in Round Rock, Texas who has been in the business for over twenty years.

Q: What education have you received that qualifies you for your job as a surgical technician?
A: I went into the Army and took a 16 week course that was divided into two parts. General medical orientation (four weeks), then book work to learn instrumentation and sterile technique (six weeks) and finally on-the-job training, which included scrubbing with another technician for six more weeks. The civilian schooling is two years. It was very fast and furious. Learn as you go.

Q: What do you like about being a surgical technician?
A: Everything. Helping people. Being right there in the middle of everything and seeing how it all works.

Q: What do you dislike about being a surgical technician?
A: Standing all day in one spot and holding retractors, unable to move.

Q: Can you give us a description of a typical day in the life of a surgical technician?
A: Depending on the size of the hospital and caseload, you will scrub several different surgeries per day. If lucky, you like the surgeon and service you are working on. The only breaks are for lunch and if you are lucky between cases. Don’t get me wrong; I love it!!!

Q: What do you think your next step will be in your career field?
A: I would like to get my certification and continue to be a scrub tech.

Q: What previous job history has prepared you for your current job?
A: None that I can think of unless you go back to high school, when I worked with children in a daycare. Surgeons are like children in that they have to have it their way.

Q: What traits and qualifications does a person need to have in order to be successful as a surgical technician?
A: Patience, tolerance and the ability to take orders and be a team player.

Q: Would you recommend this job to someone else? Why or why not?
A: Yes, I would. I would highly recommend this job. It is great to be a part of the overall solution and to see how the human body works.

Q: What training or education program might be beneficial for moving your current career forward, if any?
A: If I could change how I got my training I would have gone to a civilian school and taken the certification test straight out of school. There are many things on the test that you do not do in your job and the memory fades.

What Employers in Texas Look for in a Surgical Technician

In Texas, employers seeking surgical technicians (also known as surgical technologists) prioritize a combination of technical proficiency, sterile technique, communication skills, and a strong understanding of patient care. Surgical technicians are integral members of the surgical team, responsible for ensuring that the operating room runs smoothly and that the patient remains safe during invasive procedures. Texas employers, including major health systems like Complete Surgery – Houston Northwest LLC, Legent Health, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and Parkland Health and Hospital System, are looking for individuals who can support a variety of surgical specialties and handle the demands of a fast-paced environment.

Key Skills and Qualifications

1. Sterile Field Management and Aseptic Technique: One of the primary responsibilities of a surgical technician is maintaining the sterile field during surgeries. Employers across Texas stress the importance of proficiency in sterile techniques to avoid contamination and ensure patient safety. Surgical techs must be skilled in scrubbing in, passing instruments, and maintaining a sterile environment throughout the procedure. For instance, Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas emphasizes the need for surgical techs to demonstrate advanced knowledge in aseptic techniques to prevent any breaks in the sterile field during surgeries.
2. Technical Competence and Equipment Handling: Employers expect surgical techs to be familiar with various surgical instruments, supplies, and technologies. Legent Health in Corpus Christi, for example, highlights the necessity of being proficient in handling and preparing surgical instruments, as well as setting up operating rooms with the necessary equipment. In addition to traditional surgery, some positions, such as those at Legent Health, require experience with robotic surgery systems like the da Vinci Surgical System. Surgical techs in these settings must support the robotic procedures and work with surgeons to optimize the surgical environment.
3. Communication and Teamwork: Effective communication is essential in the operating room. Surgical technicians must collaborate with surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and other medical staff to ensure that surgeries proceed smoothly. At UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, the role requires surgical techs to work under the supervision of registered nurses and medical staff, coordinating tasks with other team members while ensuring that the patient’s needs are met. Strong interpersonal skills are necessary to ensure the accurate and safe transfer of information, especially when responding to the surgeon’s instructions during procedures.
4. Patient Safety and Monitoring: Maintaining patient safety is a core responsibility. Surgical techs are involved in preparing the patient for surgery, monitoring vital signs, and ensuring that all necessary medications and fluids are available. Employers like Complete Surgery – Houston Northwest LLC look for candidates who can assist in patient preparation, monitor vital signs during surgery, and respond promptly to changes in the patient’s condition. The ability to stay alert and focused during lengthy procedures is essential.
5. Certification and Experience: Texas employers require surgical techs to hold a certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or equivalent. Additionally, a vocational certificate or degree in surgical technology from an accredited program is a standard requirement. Parkland Health and Hospital System and Legent Health emphasize the importance of continuous education and professional development, with a focus on maintaining up-to-date knowledge of surgical procedures, new technologies, and infection control practices.

Employer Preferences and Crossover Skills

Employers in Texas often look for candidates with experience in specific surgical disciplines. For example, Legent Health and UT Health Science Center at San Antonio may prefer candidates with specialized experience in areas such as orthopedics, cardiology, or robotic surgeries. Parkland Health, on the other hand, places emphasis on those who can handle both routine and complex surgeries, requiring flexibility and a broad skill set.

Moreover, experience in related healthcare roles can be beneficial. Surgical technicians with background knowledge in perioperative care or previous work in sterile processing may find opportunities for advancement. Employers such as Complete Surgery – Houston Northwest LLC seek candidates who can seamlessly integrate into the surgical team and assist in managing the sterile environment and sterilization of instruments, indicating a crossover between surgical technology and sterile processing duties.

In summary, Texas employers hiring surgical technicians seek individuals with comprehensive technical skills, a deep commitment to patient safety, excellent communication abilities, and the ability to work as part of a cohesive team. By combining these competencies with the required certifications, surgical technicians can meet the growing demand in Texas hospitals and surgical centers, including specialized areas like robotic surgery, further enhancing their career opportunities.